Quick TV Series Review – ‘The Mandalorian’ (Season 1)

Hello everyone! 🙂

Welcome to ‘Bradley’s Basement’ blog and I’m Tim Bradley!

‘Star Wars’ fans are…interesting. And I mean that with the highest respect. Over the years, I’ve had my own opinions about ‘Star Wars’. I wouldn’t say I was a big fan of the movies and its spin-off media, but I’ve always enjoyed watching a ‘Star Wars’ film whether it’d be on DVD or at the cinema.

Lately in today’s climate however, ‘Star Wars’ fans have been very divisive. Many would love the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy while others would despise the prequels and the sequels trilogies. Others are more on the fence or they just love ‘Star Wars’, whether it’d be good or bad movies in general. 😐

But I think it’s fair to say that many ‘Star Wars’ fans absolutely love ‘The Mandalorian’, the latest live-action web TV show set in the ‘Star Wars’ universe. Whether you like the latest ‘Star Wars’ movies or not, people can all agree that ‘The Mandalorian’ is an awesome web TV series throughout.

It’s a fascinating set of reactions. Here’s how people would react to the ‘Star Wars’ sequels trilogy.

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Timelord007: “I HATE THEM!!! I LOATHE AND DETEST THEM, ESPECIALLY ‘THE LAST JEDI’!!!”

Darth Vader: “The Force is not strong with these movies. And I’m not in them!”

 Screaming kids enter and run around Timelord007 and Darth Vader, clapping frantically. Timelord007 and Darth Vader frown heavily whilst this happens.

Screaming Kids: “We love ‘Last Jedi’! We love ‘Last Jedi’!! WE LOVE ‘LAST JEDI’!!! WE LOVE ‘LAST JEDI’!!!! WE LOVE ‘LAST JEDI’!!!!! WE LOVE ‘LAST JEDI’!!!!!! WE LOVE ‘LAST JEDI’!!!!!!! WE LOVE…“    

 Suddenly, Darth Vader slaughters every screaming kid with his red lightsaber. Every screaming kid screams once they’ve been killed off. After Vader finishes off the massacre, he sits back in his chair with Timelord007.

Timelord007: “Ah, that’s better. I can’t stand the PC woke fans that preach they know all about ‘Star Wars’. I was a fan back in the days of VHS when the original movies had no CGI tinkering. They were made with love, passion and a lot of effort. The new trilogy is hollow, dull and unexciting nonsensical twaddle. The Disney ‘Star Wars’ movies are awful barring ‘Rogue One’, which I loved, especially that scene where you take out the Rebel soldiers, Vader.”

Darth Vader: “Why, thank you, my middle aged apprentice. ‘Star Wars’ should be all about me. My rise, fall and eventual redemption. That’s why the new films are terrible, because they’re not focused on me.”

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And this is how people react to ‘The Mandalorian’.

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Timelord007: “Awesome, entertaining, great action, great characters and it captures the true spirit of the original ‘Star Wars’ films.”

Darth Vader: “For a series that doesn’t feature me, I find it entertaining. However, if I was in the series, I would crush the Mandalorians with a click of my fingers.”

Screaming kids enter and run around Timelord007 and Darth Vader, clapping frantically.

Screaming Kids: “We love ‘The Mandalorian’! We love ‘The Mandalorian’!! We love ‘The Mandalorian’!!! We love…”     

Darth Vader: (thinks) “No, I won’t kill them today.”

Timelord007: (puzzled) “Wait! Aren’t these the kids you killed off because they like…you know…that abomination of a ‘Star Wars’ movie?”

Darth Vader: “They finally understand the true power of the Dark Side.”

Timelord007: “Yes! Only through watching ‘The Mandolorian’ can you achieve true power and fulfilment of ‘Star Wars’.”

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Like I said, a fascinating set of reactions, aren’t they?

Recently, thanks to subscribing to Disney+, I’ve seen Season 1 of ‘The Mandalorian’ for eight days. And I’ve greatly enjoyed watching it. I have found it more compelling than some of the latest ‘Star Wars’ movies I’ve seen at cinemas. The storytelling and the character do feel better handled here. 🙂

The series was created by Jon Favreau, who many of you know plays Happy Hogan in the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ film series. He also appeared in 2003’s ‘Daredevil’ and has directed many movies including ‘Elf’, the first two ‘Iron Man’ movies, 2016’s ‘Jungle Book’ and 2019’s ‘Lion King’. 🙂

Amazing how far Jon Favreau has come since being the director of ‘Elf’! 😀 It’s interesting to find him being in creative control of ‘The Mandalorian’, what with being the head writer and executive producer. ‘The Mandalorian’ is one of Jon Favreau’s better efforts compared to 2019’s ‘Lion King’. 😀

‘The Mandalorian’ takes place five years after the events of ‘Return of the Jedi’ and 25 years prior to the events of ‘The Force Awakens’. It follows the adventures of its title character who is a Mandalorian bounty hunter. He looks very much like Jango Fett and Boba Fett from previous movies.

In the series, the Mandalorian takes on a commission to collect a bounty which happens to be a Baby Yoda. Aww!!! Very soon, the Mandalorian is on the run by those who wish to have the Baby Yoda. The Mandalorian does all he can to protect the baby and uncover the mystery about what it is.

Like I said, I saw this series for eight days. Season 1 is divided into eight episodes – or rather eight chapters. They’ve been compelling to watch with good drama, tension and atmosphere. Jon Favreau writes most of the episodes whilst a few are done by Dave Filoni, Christopher Yost and Rick Famuyiwa.

Whilst Jon Favreau is in creative control of the series, he has other people directing the episodes themselves. This includes Dave Filoni, Rick Famuyiwa, Deborah Chow, Bryce Dallas Howard who played Gwen Stacy in ‘Spider-Man 3’ (Yikes, I didn’t know she was a director as well as an actress) and Taika Waititi (who directed ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ in the ‘MCU’ series as well as the film ‘Jojo Rabbit’).

Pedro Pascal plays the Mandalorian in the series. I like how this character gets developed as we’re not sure whether he’s a good guy or a bad guy. He never takes his mask off and goes by a Mandalorian code, saying “This is the way!” It’s fascinating how the Madalorian develops as a character in eight episodes. It’s also interesting how he forms a bond with Baby Yoda and he protects him in the series.

I like the Baby Yoda child in this episode. Aww!!! I’m not sure whether he is a relation of Yoda, but he does similar Jedi-like powers compared to Yoda, especially when he uses them to protect the Mandalorian and heal people’s wounds. It is amazing Baby Yoda gets so much attention in this series.

The series also features Carl Weathers as Greef Karga, who hires the Mandalorian to do bounty jobs for him. There’s Werner Herzog as the Client; Omid Abtahi as Dr. Pershing, Nick Nolte (who was in 2003’s ‘Hulk’) voicing Kuiil, an Ugnaught moisture farmer who becomes an ally to the Mandalorian and says “I have spoken!” a lot 😀 , and Taika Waititi as the voice of IG-11, a bounty-hunting droid who first attempts to kill Baby Yoda before getting stopped by the Mandalorian. There’s also Gina Carano (who was in ‘Deadpool’ apparently. Huh! That I didn’t know 😀 ) as Cara Dune, a former rebel shock trooper-turned-mercenary who helps the Mandalorian. 🙂 And there’s Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon, who ends up becoming the main villain of the series.

One episode I found compelling was ‘Chapter 6: The Prisoner’, featuring guest stars like Mark Boone Jr. as Ranzar ‘Ran’ Malk, Bill Burr as Mayfield, Natalia Tena as Xi’an, Clancy Brown as Burg and Richard Ayoade as the voice of Q9-0. I found the episode tension-driven especially when the Mandalorian got backstabbed by fellow bounty hunters who were on a mission to save a prisoner. 😀

The series also features quite a number of Stormtroopers in it. Interesting as I thought the Empire was over by then. I thought the Stormtroopers would’ve stopped by then. But then again, Stormtroopers do come back in ‘The Force Awakens’ and I’m sure not all the orcs were destroyed in ‘The Return of the King’. 😀 Also interesting that there are more Mandalorians than the just main one here.

I’m glad I’ve been able to see ‘The Mandalorian’ at last on Disney+. It’s certainly a lot better than some of the recent ‘Star Wars’ movies I’ve seen. The characters are very well-written and the storytelling and drama have been pretty compelling. I think ‘Star Wars’ works better as a TV series compared to the movies. It’s so amazing how much detail you can pick up from watching a TV series.

I know that Season 2 of ‘The Mandalorian’ is coming very soon to Disney+ in October 2020, which I’m looking forward to seeing. I’m hoping to enjoy more of this series that features a bounty hunter and his Baby Yoda child. I wonder how the series will continue and what new exploits the Mandalorian has for us to enjoy. How will he raise that Baby Yoda child? Only time will tell, I’m sure.

Let’s hope I’ll be reviewing Season 2 of ‘The Mandalorian’ soon! Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading and…I wonder what Timelord007 and Darth Vader are up to now? 😀

Bye for now!

Tim. 🙂

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Elsewhere, Timelord007 and Darth Vader have glasses of champagne to celebrate ‘The Mandalorian’ web TV series on Disney+. They make a toast.

Timelord007: “To the Mandalorian!”

Darth Vader: “May the Force be with him always.”

They ching their champagne glasses once they’ve toasted. Timelord drinks his champagne whilst Vader, who can’t drink his because he’s wearing a mask, puts his champagne glass down to one side on a nearby table.

Timelord007: “Finally a series that captures the true spirit of ‘Star Wars’! This is the way!”

Darth Vader: “Yes! This Jon Favreau is one with the Force.”

Timelord007: “Happy Hogan saved ‘Star Wars’!”

Darth Vader: “What?!”

Timelord007: (feeling awkward) “It’s…a character he played in the ‘Iron Man’ movies, the ‘Avengers’ movies and the latest ‘Spider-Man’ films.”

Darth Vader: “Oh, I see. But…why is he called Happy Hogan? Why not Angry Hogan or Darth Hogan? Or Paul Hogan?”

Timelord007: “Um, because his name is Happy?” (aside) “This is a boring conversation.”

Just then, the door opens and in enters…the Mandalorian! He looks about the room before seeing Timelord007 and Darth Vader together.

Darth Vader: “WHAT?!!!”

Timelord007: “Either we’re in the Matrix and this in non-reality or we’re in big trouble.”

 The Mandalorian walks over and stands in front of Timelord007, staring at him blankly.

Darth Vader: “Do not try anything, bounty hunter. Or you’ll feel the true power of the Dark Side.”

Timelord007: “Why is he ignoring you and staring at me?”

 The Mandalorian continues to stare at Timelord007.

Timelord007: “Look, if this is about my rant on the movie ‘Avengers: Endgame’, then I’m sorry. But I have to tell it as i see it.”

 The Mandalorian still stares at him.

Timelord007: “Look if this about me hating Jim Carrey as the Riddler, then strike me down, because I won’t backtrack on my comments about that face-gurning, over-the-top campy hammy atrocious actor.”

Still stares.

Timelord007: “Did one of my ex-girlfriends send you?”

Darth Vader: “Possibly, you do have a lot of angry ex-girlfriends.”

The Mandalorian then takes out a tracking beacon, aiming it directly at Timelord007. It beeps frequently.

Darth Vader: “What is that?”

Timelord007: “I don’t know, but a device beeping directly at me cannot be good.”

The Mandalorian, still holding the tracking beacon, continues to stare at Timelord007.

Timelord007: “Well, at least say what you want instead of trying to intimidate me.”

Finally, the Mandalorian speaks…

Mandalorian: “You are to come with me…now.”

Timelord007: “Why? Am I getting a Special Edition CD of ‘Out of Time’ with my two favourite Doctors from ‘Doctor Who’ – Tom Baker and David Tennant?”

Mandalorian: “I’ve been sent to collect you. I haven’t time to explain.”

Timelord007: “Well, I ain’t moving a inch until you do. Oh, cool suit by the way. I noticed you upgraded your armour in the third episode. Don’t suppose it has anything to do with selling more hot toy figures that sell for a scandalous amount of money?”

Darth Vader: “Explain yourself, bounty hunter!”

Timelord007: “Yes, explain yourself. Walking in here all Clint Eastwood-like and trying intimidate me. I’m not going to feel threatened by you.”

Mandalorian: “Do not ask questions. Your life is in peril and I must protect you at all costs.”

Darth Vader: “Protect Timelord? What is this a ‘Star Wars’/’Terminator’ reboot?”

Timelord007: “I demand to know who’s put out a contract on me.  Although, there is a big list of people who I may have offended or upset.”

Mandalorian: (gradually) “Very well.” (Pause) “You’re being hunted, Timelord007. Someone wants to end your life. Someone who goes by the codename…Francis!”

Timelord007 has a look of shock and horror on his face.

Timelord007: (shocked; horrified) “Francis?! FRANCIS?!!! Why does Francis want me dead?”

TO BE CONTINUED…